‘Santorini Experience’: Unique Athletes to Meet on a Unique Island!

Some of Greece’s best-known figures in athletics will get together this weekend to live the Santorini Experience, an ultimate sports event with breathtaking views and challenging routes!

The inaugural Santorini Experience event will take place on May 1-3 on the magical island of Santorini and is expected to give special moments to participants and spectators who attend the event on the May Day weekend.

Swimming and running with a view!

The swimming route of 1.5 miles (2.4 km) will be held on Saturday, May 2, in accordance to the international standards of open water swimming races and under the overall supervision of the Coach of Greek National Swimming Federation Nikos Gemelos.

The route will be exciting and an unusual experience, as professional and amateur athletes will have the opportunity to swim next to Gold medalist and twice World Champion Spyros Gianniotis, World Champions Antonis Fokaidis and Kelly Araouzou and the Pan-European Champion George Arniakos.

But that’s not all! The Santorini Experience will be honored with the participation of Giorgos-Ioannis Tsianos, the first man in world history that crossed Everest, the English Channel and Sahara; and Giannis Chatzibeis, Paralympic athlete and triathlon champion.

On Sunday, May 3, the action moves to Oia and the desalination plant, which acts as the starting point for the running routes of 5, 10 and 15 km. Participants will all run in the direction of Fira and see the unique images of the volcano, the caldera, and the houses of Imerovigli village at gently downhill and uphill paths. The finish line will be the exact same point as the start line.

For further details, press here.

Registration deadline: Entries for the race will be accepted online by Thursday April 30 at: www.santorini-experience.com/registration.php. Registration can also be made at Alafouzos Sport store in Fira.

Program

THURSDAY 30/04

19:00 – Volunteers’ meeting at Thira Indoor Sports Hall (DAPPOS)

FRIDAY 01/05

09:00-21:00 – Receive racing kit at Alafouzos Sport store, Fira

11:00 – Students running, 1 km route, Perissa

18:00 – Athletes Meet & Greet at Alafouzos Sport store, Fira

SATURDAY 02/05

09:00-21:00  Receive racing kit at Alafouzos Sport store, Fira

10:00 – Start of 1.5 mile (2.4km) swimming route from the Volcano to the Old Port in Fira

19:00 – Gala at SantoWines, Pyrgos

SUNDAY 03/05

Running routes in Oia-Fira path. All routes will start at the same time. Start and finish points at the desalination plant (Oia).

08:30-10:00 – Receive numbers from the secretary office desk, Oia

10:00 – Start of the 15 km route, Oia – Fira – Oia, from the desalination plant (Oia)

Start of the 10 km route, Oia – (towards) Fira – Oia, from the desalination plant (Oia)

Start of the 5 km route, Oia – (towards) Fira – Oia, from the desalination plant (Oia)

12:00 – End of events

The event takes place for the first time by Thira Municipality, Municipal Sports Cultural & Environmental Organization in Santorini (DAPPOS) and Active Media Group.

Sponsors include the Santorini Hotels Association, the Boatmen Union of Santorini, Blue Star Ferries, Reef, The North Face and Alafouzos Sport.

GTP is a Strategic Communication Partner of the Santorini Experience event.